We have been here long enough to have gained an understanding of Christmas in Guyana. Last year we gave the Guyanese a curious stare. This year, we see. They celebrate the birth of the Savior and what it means to them.
Major house cleaning – once a year – is begun about the first or second week of December. I thought it was crazy to do cleaning for Christmas because at home, I was too busy shopping and baking cookies and writing Christmas cards. Here they wash walls and ceilings and scour floors. Furniture is piled in heap, rugs are taken outside and washed and hung over balconies to dry. The outsides of the buildings, homes and stores alike are either power washed or painted. After the flurry of cleaning, the Christmas decorations go up. Then the cooking and baking begin. Christmas Day is spent visiting friends and eating the goodies. Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) is spent visiting family. Gift exchanges are not common. Only the wealthy would do that. Thirty percent of the people are Hindu and they don’t celebrate Christmas at all.
Everyone celebrates Old Year’s Night. Georgetown First and Second Branches are getting together to have a church service at 7. Family fun will begin at 8:30 and then food as the New Year comes in.
We appreciate you and all of your messages. We are grateful to be serving here in Guyana. The people need much, but we are learning much. Have a joyous Christmas.
Elder and Sister Langford
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